On authenticity
How many of us eat betrayal for breakfast on a daily basis? Betraying ourselves and what we stand for, just to comply with social norms. I dare say, most of us do.
Every time we act in an unauthentic way, we are renouncing our individuality and spitting on what it means to be alive. Every time we choose based not on our very own thoughts, but on those of others, we alienate ourselves from the self.
Think, perhaps, of a time when you went to a social event due to peer pressure. Think also of the time you chose your career. Perhaps it wasn’t so much your choice as you would want to think. Or even, think of that time you chose to remain quiet because your words would not align with the thoughts of others.
But some choices are different than others. Going or not going to a social event is unlikely to have repercussions other than you being uncomfortable for a couple hours. Choosing a career in bad faith might or might not be a big deal depending on factors such as your age and economic status. But voting, people underestimate the power they have in their freedom to vote. We take it for granted and use it irresponsibly. Oftentimes we don’t even care, or worse, we don’t have the ability to, and vote as we’ve been suggested to.
This is, in part, why the free become oppressed, and why the oppressed remain so.
Populists often take advantage of this in order to bend the people to their will. Twist a few of feeble minds in your favor, and the rest will follow. In 2025, you can also see this with social media trends. People will engage in the most ridiculous and nonsensical behavior just because others did.
This is why the restoration of critical thinking in the education system is of utmost importance. Without critical thinking, institutions encourage students to fall into the trap of passivity towards the choices they make, many times lettings others make them for them.
This day, I invite you put thought behind your actions and wonder “Do I want to do this? Or am I, perhaps, simply following the herd?”